Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

63 reviews

chrisljm's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

First of all, everyone who recommended this book is a sick freak. Because why are you people obsessing over this adult/minor grooming relationship. And even if you were to argue that they don't technically get together until the girl is an adult, it's still very strange how often they had to mention her being a "lovesick" teenager. Like that shit made me sick. It was also weird af that there was another (of lesser importance) adult male character that was dating a 16 year old girl. Although the focus was on him locking her in his basement, there didn't seem to be any criticism on him dating teenagers so it's kinda giving obsessed with grooming..

Second of all, why is a white author making a black character talk like that. It's weird enough she made her the stereotypical sassy black best friend, but the fact that the author sat there and typed "oh, naw, girl" as a part of her dialogue is kinda driving me insane. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Child death, Torture, Death of parent, and Confinement

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Slavery

katievallin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Violence, Cursing, and Trafficking

Moderate: Rape, Stalking, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder

Minor: Bullying and Death of parent

emgibby's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, Torture, Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

blondie3300's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Rape, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual assault

enbyfinley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

The plot was good in the way an easy read is. Because I listened to the audiobook, and he reader made this book waaaayyy better than it really was. 

 I did feel the flashbacks were irritating for me, jumping back and forth for very little information. I liked that Des and Callie were close until I reflected on the grooming vibe of a underage victim or abuse. Nope… for me.

I also found the FMC a bit whiny at times but I still enjoyed here the other 50% of the time when she was acting like an adult. The side characters felt so one dimensional and the reasoning for things didn’t feel like ACTUAL REASONS!

The spice was a good 3🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 but as the story continued, 

this book was not a story I will revisit or finish the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Rape

Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, and Alcoholism

Minor: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Vomit, and Torture

rubyslippers96's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Rape

Minor: Grief, Mental illness, and Murder

jordanb11's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Slavery, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Murder, Blood, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping

ell_n's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Gore

thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"And mountains may rise and fall, and the sun might wither away, and the sea claim the land and swallow the sky. But you will always be mine." He runs his knuckles over my cheekbone. "And the stars might fall from the heavens, and night might cloak the earth, but until darkness dies, I will always be yours." 

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This book had absolutely no business sucking me into this world the way it did. 

Calypso, also known as Callie, is a siren living in a world of supernatural and humans. Wrapped around her wrist is over 300 magical beads, the physical manifestation of her bargains and favors with a Fae King called The Bargainer. One night he comes, calling in her debts to him. The Bargainer is in need of Callie's help to discover who is kidnapping fae and humans in his kingdom. 

Despite the story not having a ton of world-building, I instantly fell in love with Callie's character. She overcomes her childhood trauma and becomes a stronger individual because of it. I also enjoyed the tangled history of the Bargainer and Callie. It was refreshing that they had a history together for a long period of time before they overcame their feelings for each other. 

I was anticipating a bit more spice in this. Granted there were a few spicy scenes, but I definitely wanted more from both of them. Fingers crossed the next in the series will have a bit more of that. Also I would check trigger warnings before reading this, as there are references to some dark themes throughout the book. 

I have to admit, I only started reading this as a pallet cleanser in-between novels, and I am pleasantly surprised. The fast-paced storyline really had me hooked from the beginning and of course I love the Fae vibes this brought to the table. Callie's take-no-shit attitude was refreshing and I, of course, love the Touch-her-and-you-die troupe. This is definitely a decent read for fans of ACOTAR (Des definitely has some Rowan vibes from TOG). I was very happy (and slightly emotional) with this book. (06/2033) 

4 out of 5 stars 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Murder, Slavery, and Blood

bangiebangs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Enjoyable and funny read (except the Harry Potter references... those didn't age well imo), with a nice starting point. There are some pretty dark themes (sexual abuse), so be warned. I'm finding that I really like Laura Thalassas style of writing, so am expecting to like most (if not all) of her work?

The pacing is pretty good, and while some plot points are a bit obvious to the discerning reader (

that they are mates

) it's really enjoyable to read. 

Slight warning if you're sensitive to having a very young heroine (underage) fall for a much older love interest (supernatural, so... very old) - he holds back until she is of age, but still a tad cringe. 

Recommended if you like your morally grey MMCs, powerful MFCs, a gaggle of fantasy tropes, etc. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Torture, Grief, Rape, Alcoholism, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent